Jimmy Page & Robert Plant / Budokan 1996 1st Night: Dat Master / 2CD / Wardour
Budokan, Tokyo, Japan 5th February 1996
The nostalgic DAT master released by the Hoochie Coochie label following Eric Clapton’s 1999 Japan tour series, which is very popular … This time, Paige Plant’s “10 DAYS”. “10 DAYS” was a monumental masterpiece among the monumental achievements in the Japan tour compli box released by the same label. It seems that Clapton’s 1999 DAT master release has already started, and if you have a good intuition, you may have guessed it, but the original DAT master will be revived after more than 25 years since the release of that masterpiece. !
The 1996 Paige Plant visit to Japan was accompanied by an enthusiastic excitement and created a tremendous release bubble. . While using DAT for performance items in Japan in this era, on the other hand, microphones are often used with equipment with mediocre specifications, and as a result, easy items that are far from the high-quality audience of overseas performances are flooded. Under such circumstances, “10 DAYS” took a severe blow. The quality of the audience recording that was carried out using the finest microphone at that time is literally another dimension.
Naturally, it was a long time ago when it became a bestseller and became a decisive masterpiece that was reissued. Currently, not only the original box of the rear tie release, but even the recurring box has become difficult to obtain. Even if it goes on the market, it is essential to trade at a high price. It has become an item with a high threshold, a situation where it is impossible to listen to legendary name recordings easily.
Exclusive acquisition of such a masterpiece master DAT as with Clapton’s 99 series. What surprised me before the provided DAT was the sound quality that does not look inferior even after more than 25 years have passed since then. The exceptional quality overwhelmed the group of rear tie items, but it’s really wonderful to hear it again. The sound image is on, of course, and the sound of the rhythm section, including the bass, is also captured with an exquisite balance. It can be said that it was a feat to capture such an exquisite balance in 1996, and I was reminded of the greatness of “10 DAYS” again.
With such a superb recording, there is no need for any extra tweaks, and for this limited press CD release, we have paid close attention to the faithful reproduction of the original DAT master. It was a highly praised set, but the sound is so good that I was really surprised when I heard it with my ears now. There are not a few maniacs who are surprised to touch the exceptional quality for the first time in this release.
Such an unexpected excavation will lower the threshold for items and sound sources that were unusually difficult to obtain, as with the Clapton 99 series, the release of each performance for Paige Plant as a single unit. If so, the first two performances will be released this time, but on the first day of the Budokan, the release of the masterpiece “BUDOKAN 1996 1ST NIGHT” by the original master is also fresh in memory. However, the feeling is completely different. In contrast to “BUDOKAN 1996 1ST NIGHT” (hereafter referred to as “existing board”), which made us feel thickness and power, the sound of the DAT master this time is very delicate and beautiful, yet the sound image is close. Even if you listen to and compare both, you can enjoy it a lot.
And since it was the first day of the performance in Japan, the members, including Plant, were realistically conveying how cautiously they challenged the stage. Until “No Quarter”, Jimmy’s guitar was sounding with a balance that tends to be driven by other instruments, which seems awkward on the first day. Having said that, he had traveled to America and Europe in the previous year, and had even stopped by South America before coming to Japan, so his performance was truly powerful. For example, in “Since I’ve Been Loving You”, Jimmy has already played the phrase “Tea For One”, and you can feel the room to flicker the “smell” of the big change that will occur after this.
Above all, on this day, both Paige and Plant stood on the Budokan stage for the first time in a long time, so the audience held their breath and watched too much, and the fact that it was quite quiet until the middle of the live also played a role in the ease of listening, which was an ironic result. To. It seems that it was reflected in Robert as lacking excitement around “Whole Lotta Love”, but in fact “Black Dog” and “Rock And Roll” were more exciting countries than the same song (laughs) I noticed at the very end.
Therefore, the DAT master of “10 DAYS”, which was recorded with the highest sound quality, woke up from sleep after more than 25 years. Enjoy the first day of the Budokan full of nostalgia with a shocking high-quality audience that will not fade even now. This is a really great sound quality … truly a “10 DAYS” master!
Master of Hoochie Coochie Box “10 DAYS”
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